Swikly Review: Online Security Deposit Platform for Vacation Rentals (2026)
1 min readReviewed by STR Specialist
Overview
Swikly replaces traditional security deposits with an online card pre-authorisation system. Instead of collecting cheques or cash, hosts send guests a secure link to enter their card details.
- The card is pre-authorised for the deposit amount without blocking the guest's spending limit. If there is damage, the host can claim against the authorisation.
- Integrates with major PMS platforms including Guesty, Lodgify, and Hostaway.
Professional rating
0.4/5
Rated 0.4 out of 5
Rubric score
7/100
7/100
0.4/5
Verdict: Swikly has notable limitations. Consider alternatives unless your use case is a perfect fit.
At a glance
What it does
- No card limit block for guests — pre-auth does not affect spending power
- 30-day free trial with first 3 deposits free
- PCI-compliant secure payment form
Best for
- Hosts who want a clean UI
Not ideal for
- Extreme budget hunters
Pros & Cons
Highlights and considerations for Swikly.
Pros
- No card limit block for guests — pre-auth does not affect spending power
- 30-day free trial with first 3 deposits free
- PCI-compliant secure payment form
- Integrates with major PMS platforms
- Insurance-backed premium plan covers non-payment
Cons
- French company — EU/Europe focused
- Less known outside of Europe
- Premium plan required for insurance guarantee
Scores
7/100
We test against our upsell rubric (guest experience, host integration, revenue potential, ease of setup, etc.). Scores use a 100-point scale.
Strong in ease of use and setup; weaker in data export for guest upsells.
Setup
8/10
Platform sync
7/10
Upsell automation
8/10
Service coverage
8/10
Ease of use
9/10
Team & scale
7/10
Support
8/10
Data export
5/5
Value for money
7/10
Reliability
8/10
Hands-on Review Notes
Pricing
Best value: Free Trial — Free (30 days)
| Plan | Monthly | Base includes |
|---|---|---|
| Free Trial | Free (30 days) | First 3 deposits free, basic features |
| Standard | Subscription | Unlimited deposits, PMS integration |
| Premium | Subscription | Insurance guarantee, priority support |
Integrations
Common integrations supported by Swikly.
Integrations
Booking platforms
—
PMS connections
—
Payment providers
—
Other integrations
- API access
Trial Guide: What to Test
During your trial or demo, focus on data export and confirm daily workflows.
What to test in the trial
- Add the upsell to your guest journey (guidebook, message, or checkout flow)
- Complete a test booking as a guest to verify the experience is smooth
- Check revenue tracking and confirm commissions/payouts are attributed
- Test on mobile — most guests will access upsells from their phone
Alternatives
If you need stronger data export, consider these alternatives to Swikly.
Md
Manual deposit collection
Quick alternative – click to read more.
Read review
Dw
Damage waivers
Quick alternative – click to read more.
Read review
FAQ
Answers to common questions about setup, pricing, and deployment.
Community experiences
Real-world notes from hosts who have used Swikly.
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Sources
Documentation and references used in this review.